Serpentine belt fell off 2000 Corolla

[arealmus]

I did the 60K maintainence on my Year 2000 Corolla and also replaced the Serpentine belt just three months ago at Good Years.

Today, the serpentine belt fell off the car and was towed to GoodYears to check what's wrong with the car. We were told the Pivot Bolt is broken so the pulley near the engineer is loose.

The repensentive denied that they have touched the bolt and did something wrong that can break the big bolt. And it can be caused by a defective Pivot bolt that the car has.

I don't know where should I proceed. Should I contact Toyota manufacter to see if this is defect in the car or should I argue with Good Years? Is it possible that the service I did at Good Years can cause the bolt to break granually?

Need some help please!
I am waiting for an estimate from Good Years to see how much it is to fix the problem... Damn, they mentioned it can cost a lot because half of the broken bolt is still left in the engine.


Thanks a lot,
Richard

[prophase]

My honest is opinion is that GOODYEAR should have never touched your vehicle. They are one of the worst places for car work, especially foreign vehicles.

I would get that car away from them as soon as possible, WHY, because they know you are now up shits creak without a paddle and can now sucker you because of the nature of the problem, meaning, urgency.

If the car is stuck their, they think, here is chance to make a shit load of money because this person car can't be driven and is in our possesion.

Get it towed to either a dealership only because of the nature of this problem.

The dealer might rip you as well but hopefully they will know how to fix the problem so that it does not turn into anything worse.

There will be many opinions on this but the dealer sometimes is the best choice for serious repairs that a regular shop can't do because they KNOW JACK SHIT ABOUT CARS!!!

[01loadedLE]

I'd atleast leave a bbb complaint about them screwing your car up, I'd highly doubt the bolt itself was the cause. I'd also consider a lawsuit since they refuse to fix the problem at their expense. they should be penalized for their mistake, you had nothing to do with it so I wouldnt allow them to lay the cost in your lap. I'd do everything I could to get reimbursed from toyota for their mistake if it was a bolt defect but I suspect the shop did it.

[stubborn1]

That sucks. This is one of the those lessons learned in life events. From reading the description of what happened, I can't see how changing the belt had anything to do with the bolt breaking. If it was the bolt holding on the tensioner, then maybe, but it sounds like this is a different pulley mounted to the engine.

Lesson 1 - Don't trust a chain repair place like Goodyear, Firestone, Pep Boys, etc to do anything more than install tires, brakes, and oil changes. They have cheap prices because they hire cheap help. You get what you pay for.

Lesson 2 - A lawyer isn't going to do anything for you here. You have no proof that the shop did anything to cause the bolt to break. You would spend more hiring a lawyer than the repair would probably cost.

The repair doesn't sound TOO bad. They should be able to use a large extractor and remove whats left of the bolt in the block. New bolt (pulley if damaged) and belt and you are on your way.
Lesson 3 - You could take the car to a Toyota dealership, but since you are out of warranty I wouldn't expect much in the way of cooperation. Especially if you have been having your service done at other shops and not at the dealership. The only times I've really had luck with a dealer on out of warranty issues is when I've had all my maintenance/service work done at the dealership. It sucks.

Good luck - hope it works out well.

[honshu]

Originally Posted by stubborn1

That sucks. This is one of the those lessons learned in life events. From reading the description of what happened, I can't see how changing the belt had anything to do with the bolt breaking. If it was the bolt holding on the tensioner, then maybe, but it sounds like this is a different pulley mounted to the engine.

Lesson 1 - Don't trust a chain repair place like Goodyear, Firestone, Pep Boys, etc to do anything more than install tires, brakes, and oil changes. They have cheap prices because they hire cheap help. You get what you pay for.

Lesson 2 - A lawyer isn't going to do anything for you here. You have no proof that the shop did anything to cause the bolt to break. You would spend more hiring a lawyer than the repair would probably cost.

The repair doesn't sound TOO bad. They should be able to use a large extractor and remove whats left of the bolt in the block. New bolt (pulley if damaged) and belt and you are on your way.
Lesson 3 - You could take the car to a Toyota dealership, but since you are out of warranty I wouldn't expect much in the way of cooperation. Especially if you have been having your service done at other shops and not at the dealership. The only times I've really had luck with a dealer on out of warranty issues is when I've had all my maintenance/service work done at the dealership. It sucks.

Good luck - hope it works out well.

Taking it back to the dealership is good if you still have warranty. Honestly, shop around for a mechanic, ask your friends and etc. I am in Canada, I have taken my car to Canadian Tire a couple of times back then when I had my 98 Rolla, and it worked out fine for me.